Paris is world-renowned for its culinary delights - from melt in the mouth pastries to haute cuisine in Michelin-starred restaurants. There’s no shortage of great places to eat in Paris - you’ll be spoiled for choice on your trip.
To help you make the most of your gastronomic adventures in the city, we’ve put together a list of the top places to eat in Paris, including traditional French dining experiences, casual bistros, the best bakeries and so much more…
Traditional French Bistros and coffee shops
The French capital has a reputation for being an extremely pricey place to visit, thanks to its luxurious shopping streets and gourmet restaurants. But, it is possible to dine out in Paris on a budget – just take a look at some of our top picks for cheap restaurants in Paris.
Bistrot Victoires
Just a short stroll from the Louvre, this is one of our favourite places to go when we’re done gazing at the Mona Lisa. After taking in some art in one of the world’s largest museums, you can reach this wallet-friendly bistro in under 10 minutes. It can be hard to find a budget bite to eat in this part of town, but here you can get two courses for around €20. It has a casual ambience and is a great spot for anyone wanting to dine at a typical French bistro.
Red & Blue Route, Stop: Louvre-Pyramide / Big Bus Information Centre
Café Marlette
If you need your caffeine fix, then there are some pretty good coffee shops in the city to pick up your espresso or flat white. Café Marlette is really trendy, with exposed brick walls and big, cushion-filled sofas. All their coffee beans are roasted in the city, and they’ve got a delicious selection of cakes, pastries and brunch dishes if you need some fuel. You can easily spend an afternoon eating everything on the menu here.
Red Route, Stop: Opéra Garnier
Holybelly 5
Another cute coffee shop which serves up reasonably priced coffee and yummy food. The menu changes every four weeks, depending on what is in season at the time, but typically features breakfast choices such as bircher muesli and pancakes, with more substantial lunch dishes. In our opinion, it’s one of the best places to go for food in Paris.
Blue Route, Stop: Gare du Nord
Du Pain et des Idees
We’ll let you in on a little secret, Du Pain is one of the best bakeries in the city. Open Monday to Friday from 06:45 to 20:00, its ideal for picking up a quick snack at the time most convenient for you. With their selection of treats - from wonderful flatbreads to pistachio pastries and classic pain au chocolat, you won’t regret a trip here. Head for a stroll alongside Canal Saint-Martins whilst enjoying the bakery’s treats afterwards.
Blue Route, Stop: Gare du Nord
Big Fernand
One of the most talked-about places to eat in Paris, Big Fernand is a delicious burger joint with multiple locations across the city. A better option than walking into the nearest fast-food chain we recommend ordering from the Galeries Lafayette branch if you’re planning on shopping a bit first. Their meal deals are great value too; choose a burger, fries, drink and dessert all with change from €20. Or you can construct your own burger, choosing to add cheese, vegetables and sauces to suit your taste buds. Delicious.
Red Route, Stop: Opéra Garnier
Traditional French food and fine dining restaurants
In the mood for more traditional French food or haute cuisine? Then you’ll be overwhelmed by choices on your trip to Paris. You can take your chances and turn up for a table, but we suggest booking in advance for these top restaurants in Paris.
YamT'cha
The French capital is one of the best places in the world for fine dining, so if you’re looking to indulge on your trip, YamT'cha is surely one of the top places to eat. Beautifully decorated, the ambience is calming and as soon as you step through the door you can expect a friendly greeting.
The husband and wife owners create authentic Asian dishes, with the set tasting menu offering a surprise at every course. However, the price tag doesn’t come cheap, with prices just shy of €100. If your budget doesn’t quite stretch that far – or if you don’t manage to bag a reservation – you can stop by their boutique on 4 rue Sauval to pick up some traditional bao (steamed buns) to eat on the go.
Red Route, Stop: Louvre-Pont des Arts
Akrame
Awarded a Michelin star in its first year of opening, and another one shortly thereafter, this restaurant is something special. Although you can’t go wrong with whatever you order, there are three main dining options – Menu Coup de Coeur, priced at €100 euro for 4 courses, Menu Gourmand (€130 euro for 6 courses) and Menu Amis du Midi (lunch only, 3 courses for 60 euros).
Not far from Champs-Elysees, Akrame is tastefully decorated with clean, modern décor and there’s only room for about 25-30 people in the restaurant, so book in advance.
Red Route, Stop: Opéra Garnier
Le Garde Temps
A great choice if you’re looking for an authentic French meal. It’s pretty cosy in here so if you’re willing to compromise on personal space you’ll be rewarded with amazing service and delicious food. The décor is very trendy with exposed brickwork and beams, but the food prides itself on being the best of traditional French cuisine.
On Saturday evenings, you can try their tapas menu or during the week, enjoy dishes such as chicken supreme or roasted hake.
Red Route, Stop: Opéra Garnier
Le Coq Rico
Situated atop Montmarte Hill, it’s well worth the trek to this Paris restaurant. It’s all about the birds here, with the menu comprised of all things poultry. Everything is sourced in collaboration with local livestock farmers, so you can be sure everything’s ethical. Eggs also feature heavily, from fried eggs to eggs mimosa, as well as their selection of soups and salads for starters.
Although some items only feature on the menu seasonally, the stars of the show is the whole bird, a dish you won’t regret ordering. And if you go on a weekday checkout the lunch menu. For a reasonable €15, diners can enjoy the special dish of the day.
Cheap eats in Paris and French street food
When you’ve got a busy day of checking out top tourist attractions, grabbing some street food can be just the thing you need to keep you going. Here are our top picks of where to eat in Paris:
L’As Du Fallafel
One of the most popular street food spots in Paris is L’As Du Fallafel in Le Marais. Serving up street food at its best, you’ll know you’ve hit the right spot when you see the queue around the block. The food is largely inexpensive, filling and is often cited as the best falafel in France – a perfect snack if you’re spending some time in the winding lanes and cobbled streets of this bustling district.
Red Route, Stop: Notre Dame
Miznon
Just a short walk away from L’As Du Fallafel is another excellent street food joint. Miznon serves up delicious Middle Eastern food with a modern twist. The menu is written up on a blackboard, and you place your order at the counter before enjoying your meal out on the street. Stuffed pittas are the order of the day, and you can get some tasty dips and side dishes to enjoy too. Expect huge portions, perfect for hungry travellers.
Red Route, Stop: Notre Dame
Au P’tit Grec
Located in the Latin Quarter of the city, a lively student area, if you find yourself wandering around this place of interest in Paris we recommend stopping for a bite to eat at Au P’tit Grec. Serving huge crepes stuffed with sweet or savoury options - including the decadent sounding Nutella, banana and Grand Marnier, trust us when we say it’s not one to be missed. Go early to avoid the queues!
Red Route, Stop: Notre Dame
Frenchie to Go
If you’re looking for an affordable restaurant in Paris, Frenchie to Go is a strong contender. Run by top chef Gregory Marchand who worked for Jamie Oliver in London, this takeaway lets you sample his fares for a fraction of the price of his restaurant Frenchie. It offers an all-day breakfast menu as well as lunch and snacks, including plenty of patisserie treats. There’s something for everyone on the menu but if you’re finding it hard to pick, we have a soft spot for the hot dog.
Red & Blue Route, Stop: Louvre-Pyramide / Big Bus Information Centre
It’s quite easy to spend your entire visit to Paris eating your way around the city of love. And with such delicious French food dotted around in various restaurants, just waiting for you to sink your teeth into, we wouldn’t even blame you. If you do manage to pry yourself away from our picks of the best restaurants, take a look at our recommendations for the Top 10 Things to do in Paris.
